The world’s deadliest animal is probably outside your New Hampshire home. See what CDC says

The world’s deadliest animal is probably outside your home right now. And no, it’s not a bear, or even a moose – it’s a mosquito.

Despite its small size, the Centers for Disease Control says the deadliest animal in the world is the mosquito.

“The mosquito kills more people than any other creature in the world,” the CDC says. It kills over 725,000 people a year through diseases like malaria, dengue and zika.

Here’s what to know in New Hampshire.

What diseases do mosquitoes carry?

In New Hampshire, mosquitoes are known to carry:

• West Nile Virus
• Eastern Equine Encephalitis
• Jamestown Canyon Virus

Each disease has its own symptoms and severity, and in some cases can be fatal.

How many mosquitoes are in New Hampshire?

There are more than 40 species of mosquitos in New Hampshire, according to the NH Department of Health and Human Services, but only a small number of these carry and spread Eastern Equine Encephalitis, West Nile Virus and Jamestown Canyon Virus.

Here are the types in New Hampshire that can cause illness and where they are most commonly found:

• Aedes vexans – found in river floodplains and salt-marshes
• Coquillettidia perturbans – found in woodlands
• Culex pipiens – found in urban areas
• Culex salinarius – found in salt-marshes
• Culiseta melanura – found in woodlands
• Ochlerotatus canadensis – found in woodlands
• Ochlerotatus japonicus – found in urban areas
• Ochlerotatus sollicitans – found in coastal salt marshes

How many people in New Hampshire were infected by mosquitoes?

As of Sept. 18, there have been no confirmed human or animal cases of WNV, EEE or JCV in New Hampshire this year, according to NH DHHS.

However, there have been positive samples of these diseases in mosquitos in New Hampshire this year. The risk map shows that the highest risk for mosquito and tick borne diseases is in the southeastern corner of the state.

WNV has been found in mosquitos in these towns:

• Manchester
• Seabrook
• Kensington

JCV has been found in mosquitos in these towns:

• Keene
• Kensington
• New Castle
• Atkinson
• Hampstead
• Rye
• Plaistow
• Portsmouth
• Hudson

EEE has only been found Manchester.

What attracts mosquitoes?

Some conditions mosquitoes are attracted to are:

• Damp or humid areas
• Standing water
• Warm temperatures
• Dark, shady areas
• Carbon dioxide (your breath)

What can New Hampshire residents do to prevent mosquito bites?

Bureau of Infectious Disease recommends these ways to avoid mosquito bites:

• Reduce mosquito habitats by removing standing water from the areas around your home
• Use insect repellents any time you are outdoors
• Wear long-sleeved clothing
• Schedule outdoor activities to avoid the hours from dusk to dawn during peak mosquito season
• Repair damaged window and door screens

This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald. Reporting by Margie Cullen, USA TODAY NETWORK – New England / Portsmouth Herald